STATE OF NEVADA SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY, AUDIOLOGY AND HEARING AID DISPENSING BOARD MINUTES OF PUBLIC MEETING October 19, 2018 Members Present: Members Absent: Staff Present: Public Present: Tami Brancamp, Nighat Abdulla, Thomas Rainford, Bonnie Lamping, Andrea Menicucci Michael Hodes, Jane McEvoy Loretta Ponton, Executive Director, Stacey Whittaker, Executive Assistant Henna Rasul, Sr. Deputy Attorney General Paula Berkley, Lobbyist Sonia Crockett, HAS Apprentice Call to Order, Confirmation of Quorum - Tami Brancamp, Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:39 p.m. A roll call confirmed a quorum was present. Public Comment - There were no public comments. Approval of Minutes - Tami Brancamp asked if there were any corrections or revisions to the minutes of the meeting of July 20, 2018. Hearing no comments, called for a motion. Andrea Menicucci made a motion to approve the minutes of July 20, 2018. Nighat Abdulla seconded the motion. The motion passed. Advisory Committee for the Fitting and Dispensing of Hearing Aids - Loretta Ponton stated the Advisory Committee met immediately preceding the Board meeting. Michael Hodes was appointed Chair; however, in his absence Tom Rainford would be presenting the Committee recommendations. Tom Rainford reported the Committee considered sanctions to the license of Sonia Crockett and the Committee recommends the Board issue a citation for unlicensed practice, with no administrative fine, and no credit towards in-service training during the period Ms. Crockett practiced without a valid license. Tami Brancamp asked for questions or comments. Hearing none, called for a motion. Tami Brancamp made the motion, seconded by Andrea Menicucci to approve the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Fitting and Dispensing Hearing Aids for sanction of Sonia Crockett, HAS-0568 Apprentice to issue a citation, no fine and no credit towards the in-service training period. The motion passed. 1
Governor s Executive Audit Committee-Audit Report Loretta Ponton reviewed the Board s letter of response to the audit report and the draft six-month follow-up response to the audit due October 31, 2018. Ms. Ponton stated that an Attorney General s Advisory Opinion has been requested by the auditors as well as the Contractor s Board on the applicability of NRS 281 relating to findings on executive director compensation. The response to Recommendation 1 in the six-month followup letter, reflects no action pending the OAG Opinion. All other recommendations are fully implemented or not applicable. Tami Brancamp asked if there were any questions regarding the audit report, or the Board s response to the audit as submitted, now that the members have had time to review the audit report. After discussion, there was consensus of the members that they concurred with the audit response. Bonnie Lamping made the motion to approve the audit response as submitted; seconded by Tom Rainford. The motion passed. Andrea Menicucci made the motion to approve the six-month follow-up response as drafted; seconded by Tom Rainford. The motion passed. Loretta Ponton reported on the Informational Request received relating to a second Boards2 audit being conducted by the Executive Branch Audit Committee. This second audit will be focusing on governing structures, enforcement and revenue generation. The informational Request response was due August 31 st. Tom Rainford noted that the International Hearing Society should be listed in question 1. As well as their contact information. Tami Brancamp noted that the response to question 6 referenced the Board of Occupational Therapy and that this Board is independent and by referencing the OT Board, it might appear there is a relationship between the Boards other than the cost-sharing. Ms. Ponton stated that the OT reference was not intended to create a relationship; but to emphasize her recommendations as an Executive Director. Ms. Ponton stated the recommendations were for improvements to organizational structures in general, applicable to all small regulatory Boards, not specific to any one Board, based upon her knowledge and experience in managing small Boards. Fiscal Year 2018 Financial Statements - Loretta Ponton stated the Board s revenue for fiscal year 2018 was below the $200,000 threshold for requiring an audit. Pursuant to NRS 218G.400, a Balance Sheet and supporting documentation must be submitted to the Legislative Council Bureau and the Budget Division. Ms. Ponton summarized the financial statements and Balance Sheet for Fiscal Year 2018. 2
Tami Brancamp asked if there were any questions, hearing none call for a motion. Bonnie Lamping made a motion to approval the Fiscal Year 2018 Balance Sheet and financial statements for submittal to the State as required by NRS 218G.400. Nighat Abdulla seconded the motion. The motion passed. Board Policy 06 - Reserve Funds - Loretta Ponton presented a draft policy on reserve funds; stating the Sunset Subcommittee reviewed Boards and found that there was great discrepancy in the amount of cash or reserve funds held by the various licensing Boards. Although this Board was not reviewed, Ms. Ponton stated it would be prudent for the Board to address the concerns expressed by the subcommittee and establish a reserve funds policy. A policy would establish parameters for the Board in reviewing their financial status and set guidance for addressing funding excesses as well as funding limitation. Tami Brancamp called for a motion on Board Policy 06, Reserve Funds. Tom Rainford made the motion, seconded by Andrea Menicucci to approve Board Policy 06, Reserve Funds as presented. The motion passed. Reserve Funds Balance FY 19 - Ms. Ponton reviewed the calculation of reserve funds for FY 19, based upon the approved Policy 06 - Reserve Funds with a recommendation for a 10% setaside for unanticipated and/or unexpected expenses. Based upon the June 30, 2018 Balance Sheet, the calculated reserve balance would be 12 months based upon FY 19 budgeted expenses. After discussion, Tami Brancamp called for a motion. Andrea Menicucci made the motion, seconded by Nighat Abdulla, to approve the 10% set-aside earmarked for unexpected expenses for FY 19, and the reserve funds adjusted balance of 12 months for FY 19. The motion passed. Disciplinary Matters - Loretta Ponton reviewed Case No. S18-02 with a recommendation of No Further Action. The case was an unlicensed practice by a person holding a teachers license with a speech endorsement who was employed by a private company to provide speech services to students at a virtual charter school. A cease and desist letter was issued and the person is no longer employed by the contracting agency. Ms. Ponton reviewed Case No. H19-01 with a recommendation for dismissal as it was determined there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations. Tami Brancamp called for a motion. Tom Rainford made the motion, seconded by Andrea Menicucci, to approve a No Further Action on Case No. S18-02 and Dismiss Case No. H19-01. The motion passed. 3
Legislative Update Tami Brancamp call on Paula Berkley. Paula Berkley reported that 535 bill draft requests have been submitted to LCB for drafting, about half of what is expected for the 2019 Legislative Session. Ms. Berkley reported there are about 23 bills that she is tracking that may relate to regulatory boards, administrative processes or those submitted by other Boards. Executive Director s Report - Tami Brancamp called on Loretta Ponton. Loretta directed the members to the written report; summarizing licensure statistics and reporting three (3) complaint cases pending. First quarter financial reports will be provided at the next meeting. Strategic Planning Tami Brancamp asked Loretta to facilitate. Loretta Ponton stated the upcoming year will be pivotal to the Board as she will be leaving when her contract expires at the end of December 2019. The Board will need to identify and establish goals and what direction the Board will take in addressing new initiatives and evolutionary changes in the professions. Ms. Ponton suggested strategic planning topics including budgetary impacts of personnel, contract services, upgrades and possible on-line application option for the data system, and the cost sharing agreement. Additional topics are national regulatory impact on dispensing hearing aids, the national licensure compact efforts, among others. Tami Brancamp added that it is her goal to have all meetings video-conferenced. Discussion of hiring a facilitator, timing, location and dates was heard, with consensus that Loretta should identify possible dates and survey the members for availability. Report from Board Chair and Board Members Tami Brancamp called upon Andrea Menicucci to report on the NCSB Conference. Andrea reported on topics of interest including a national push for deregulation and licensing of SLPA s. Andrea stated the meeting was very informative and she will provide a written summary for distribution. The next NCSB conference will be in San Antonio September 26-28, 2019. Tami Brancamp reported that she was contacted by the Nevada Speech-Language Hearing Association regarding the proposed Compact for the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology professions. The association would like to work with the Board in reviewing and discussing whether Nevada should join a Compact for licensure. The Compact discussions will be added as a potential agenda item and the Association will be included in the discussions. Tami Brancamp confirmed the next meeting date as January 19, 2019, Saturday, in person in Las Vegas. Bonnie Lamping stated she will not be available for January meeting. Tami Brancamp stated future agenda items will include Legislative Updates, Strategic Planning and consideration of a new regulation to clarify NRS 637B.080. 4
Report from Legal Counsel Henna Rasul stated she has nothing further to report. Public Comment There were no public comments. Adjournment Tami Brancamp adjourned the meeting at 6:30 p.m. 5